Thursday, March 27, 2008

Easter Sunday

Sunday I was so excited after leaving church. Our SS pastor is an awesome teacher. He really brought scripture alive. I was so encouraged to keep my mind and heart set on things above. I don't remember the last time I felt so happy and literally excited at the thought of being in heaven with the Lord! Wow, amazing!
After church, we met Amanda and Ken and littel Eden for lunch and then went to the children's park to take pictures. It was such a nice afternoon. Here are some pictures of the family and the easter egg hunt.


Amanda invited us over to dye eggs with Eden. ***FUNNY STORY: When we got there, I asked Amanda if there was anything I could do to help get the ball rolling. Amanda said I could "peel" those eggs cooling in the sink. So I peeled 12 eggs!!!!!!!!! After I finished, we realized, OH MY GOODNESS!! I can't believe I just peeled all those eggs we were supposed to dye!! Anyways, needless to say I felt like an idiot!!!!!!!!!!!


Dallas' first easter egg with his name on it.


Our Family

Dallas hunting eggs.



Dallas and Eden being super sweet!


Me and my good best friend, Amanda.


This was Amanda's idea to take pictures here. I love this little picture of D. He really is our gift. I just look at this picture and feel thankful.



Eden and Dallas having fun.


Me and Adam


Smile for the camera

My Sweet D.












Sunday, March 23, 2008

Up Too Late

Anyone who knows me well, knows I tend to be early to bed and early to rise. Well, for some strange reason last night about 9 pm I was craving carbonated anything too. This not like me either. We got home from Amanda and Ken's last night and I settled on a Dr Pepper. I drank more than 1/2 of the bottle, and by 11, I realized, "It's 11 o'clock, and I'm not asleep. In fact, I'm not even tired. Then it hit me, CAFFEINE! I finally think I fell asleep after midnight, and got up for early service this morning. No wonder my body was screaming for a nap this afternoon.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Family Fun

Friday night we drove to the American Airline's Center and watched the Mavs vs. Pacers. We won..it was so much fun! We ate hotdogs and french fries and took pics. Dallas kept talking about Dirk N. It was cute :)
After the game we stayed in a nice room at the Holiday Inn just a mile away. We all slept together in a big king-sized bed, and even slept in until 8 15 am! Wow, that's a record in our family since Dallas was born. However, I'm sure it had something to do with not going to bed until 11 30. Before returning to Tyler Sat. morning, we stopped in Terrell to eat Breakfast @ IHOP and just had a leisure ride home. We had a good weekend, I'm sorry it had to end.








Before the game started, watching the players warm-up



Enjoying some food at the game

I'm sure you can get better pics of the players, but that's Dirk Nowitski warming up.



Several of the players warming-up.



I must have walked 1/2 way around the arena trying to find this cotton candy for D. Major sugar rush!


Not the best picture, but wanted to give proof I was there too.



Friday, March 7, 2008

There is a Reason

There have been 2 songs over the past couple of months that have really ministered to my heart. 1: Cademon's Call - There is a Reason and 2: Casting Crowns - In this Storm

Lyrics to There is a Reason
Late at night I wonder whySometimes I wonder whySometimes I'm so tiredI don't even trySeems everything around me failsBut I hold on to the promiseThat there is a reasonLate at night, the darkness makes it hard to seeThe history of the saints who've gone in front of meThrough famine, plague and disbeliefHis hand was still upon themCause there is a reasonThere is a reasonHe makes all things goodHe makes all things goodThere's a time to live and a time to dieA time for wonder and to wonder whyCause there is a reasonThere is a reasonI believe in a God who sent His only sonTo walk upon this world and give His life for usWith blood and tears on a long, dark nightWe know that He believedThat there is a reasonThere is a reasonFor the lonely nightsAnd broken heartsThe widow's miteIn the rich man's handAnd the continentWhose blood becomes a traitorFor the child afraid to close their eyesThe prayers that seem unansweredThere is a reasonThere is a reason

Lyrics to Praise You in this Storm
I was sure by now That You would have reached down And wiped our tears away Stepped in and saved the day But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining As the thunder rolls I barely hear Your whisper through the rain "I'm with you" And as You mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives And takes away I'll praise You in this storm And I will life my hands For You are who You are No matter where I am Every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand You never left my side And though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm I remember when I stumbled in the wind You heard my cry You raised me up again My strength is almost gone How can I carry on If I can't find You As the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain "I'm with you" And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives And takes away I lift my eyes unto the hills Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord The Maker of Heaven and Earth


If you haven't hear these amazing songs, take the time and listen. Even if you have heard them, listen again, and let them minister to your heart like they have mine. They have brought a lot of healing to me. I can't listen to them without tearing up.
This past year has been particularly hard for lots of reasons. Just a lot has happened to Adam and me that have been TOTALLY out of our control! For such a long time, too long, I was so angry. Bitter, resentful...but over the past couple of weeks God has started healing me from this. Not that he's just automatically taken the bitterness away, but it's more and more, I'm learning to rest in God's sovereignty.
I shared this at home group on Sunday, but I want to look back on my circumstances one day and thank God for allowing me to praise Him, even when I don't understand why He's allowing us to go through certain things.
If I could sum up my spiritual lesson(s) in the past 6 months, it's praising God, no matter what, PRAISE GOD. "For He is who He is, no matter where I am."

Sunday, March 2, 2008

It's the Little Things

In August of last year my friend, Shannon, and I went to a Body Shop party. I ordered some fabulous Satsuma lotion with Shea body scrub. Sad I couldn't go home with it, but knew in just a week or so I'd have it. Well, after a long string of events, which I won't bore you with, on Friday UPS delivered my merchandise. That night I lite the candles, locked myself in the bathroom to relax for well over an hour - scrubing and moisturizing..I slept so well that night and woke up feeling so refreshed. It was a much needed spa night and just what the doctor ordered.